Should You Skateboard to Dance Class?

We think all Dancers should own a skateboard ……… here is WHY!

Skateboarding and dancing may seem like two entirely different activities, but they share more similarities than you might think. Both require balance, coordination, and a deep sense of rhythm. For dancers, incorporating skateboarding into their routine can offer unique benefits that complement their training, helping to build strength, enhance flexibility, and improve overall body control. If you know very little or nothing about skateboarding, we suggest you check out The International Skateboarders Union Website.

Building Muscle and Strength

Skateboarding is a full-body workout that engages multiple muscle groups, especially the core, legs, and lower back. For dancers, who rely heavily on these areas for stability and movement control, skateboarding can serve as an excellent cross-training activity. The act of pushing off the ground with one leg while balancing on the board with the other strengthens the quads, hamstrings, calves, and glutes. These muscles are crucial for dancers when executing powerful leaps, stable turns, and fluid movements.

Moreover, skateboarding requires constant adjustment and stabilization, which engages the core muscles intensely. A strong core is vital for dancers, as it provides the foundation for maintaining balance and executing complex choreography with precision. By skateboarding regularly, dancers can develop a more stable core, leading to better control in their dance performances.

Enhancing Coordination and Balance

Dancers must have impeccable coordination and balance, and skateboarding can significantly enhance these skills. Riding a skateboard requires continuous adjustment to maintain equilibrium, especially when navigating turns or performing tricks. This constant engagement of balance and coordination translates directly to dance, where dancers must control their body’s movements with precision and grace.

The skills developed through skateboarding—such as spatial awareness, quick reflexes, and the ability to anticipate and react to changing conditions—are invaluable in dance. These skills help dancers move confidently through space, whether they’re gliding across a stage or executing intricate footwork.

Improving Flexibility and Agility

Skateboarding also promotes flexibility and agility, as skaters often need to shift their body weight quickly and adopt various postures to perform tricks or avoid obstacles. This dynamic movement fosters joint flexibility and encourages the development of fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are essential for the quick, explosive movements often required in dance.

For dancers, who benefit from a wide range of motion and the ability to change direction swiftly, skateboarding can help improve these physical attributes. The agility gained from skateboarding can enhance a dancer’s ability to execute rapid directional changes, jumps, and turns with ease.

Conclusion

Incorporating skateboarding into a dancer’s routine can offer numerous physical and mental benefits. It builds muscle strength, enhances balance and coordination, and improves flexibility and agility— all of which are crucial for excelling in dance. So, should you skate to dance class? Absolutely! It might just be the perfect way to warm up both your muscles and your mind before hitting the dance floor.